Restaurant Aquavit

     When New Yorkers tire of sushi, we can find a taste of home in Tokyo's backyard. Grand Central Station has exported a landmark: Pan roasts are on offer at the Oyster Bar in Shinagawa Station where it's yen for dollars. Red-checked table cloths, vaulted ceilings, solid tableware, every detail except the decibel level and rude waiters. No need to bellow across the table since diners in this Oyster Bar speak in low tones. On sunny days request a table on the patio. Like Metro North commuters Tokyoites can grab a bite and catch the JR (Japan Rail) home to Yokohama, for example, only 18 minutes by Express.

     On this spring-like Thursday, Eating Out Group took our monthly luncheon at Restaurant Aquavit. The three course prix fixe (Y 2,500) includes a bottomless glass of iced tea. Not exactly a prewar mansion in the East 50s with a wall of water but a 21st century mansion with a glistening fountain outside the front door, the double height ceilings open to a room that would be at home on the Upper East Side. Conversation settled on the Olympic skaters. "They don't have the desire to win," observed I-san about the three young women representing Japan. "Not like Yu-na," she added, referring to the South Korean rival. Nods all around about today's spoiled younger generation.

   Next subject was the public apology aired on TV this morning by Toyoda-san for his company's defective cars. "He was not supposed to be president of the company yet, " I-san declared. "He was not ready." More nods.  This is followed by a discussion about Ono Yoko-san (Japanese names are said in reverse order from gaijin). "Yoko-san and I are both born in 1933," piped up the oldest member of the group. Then I-san recounted a magazine article about the affluent Ono family that included family photos. "Yoko-san's mother was a beauty, " she said. "Yoko-san takes after the father." Continued heads bobbing around the table.

     Before the Room to Read event next Wednesday, my inbox reminds me that I have promised to hold a Crossword Coffee at the Franciscan Chapel next Monday. That leaves me only three days to prepare. Time to dust off the notes from the last solving seminar I held five months ago.